COMPARISON / 2025 MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOOTOUT

Arctic Cat ZR 600 ATAC Lynx Rave RE 600R Polaris 650 Indy SP Ski-Doo MXZ Adrenaline 600R Yamaha SRViper L-TX GT

Go ahead and rip through the strip of moguls along the powerline or launch off the steepest field approaches in a ditchline : A Rave RE is built to take whatever the landing will bring and ask , “ Is that all you ’ ve got ?!”

For middleweight buyers and lovers of cross-country and snocross racing where 600-class sleds are king , one question remained : “ Where ’ s the Rave 600 ?” It ’ s long been offered in Europe , but it never crossed the ocean . Until now . For 2025 , Lynx expanded its rough-trail-focused lineup in both directions – adding a turbocharged Rave GLS in the 180- plus horsepower class for the top-speed crowd , and a Rave RE 600R E-TEC for folks who remain passionate about the light and responsive feel of a middleweight sled .

What ’ s New ?

Technically , we suppose everything is new with the Rave RE 600R E-TEC considering that it ’ s a first-year sled .

To some folks , the makeup of a Rave RE model may be old news , but 600-class buyers may have been ignoring the aggressive trail bombers in the Lynx line so we ’ ll start with the basics before moving forward .

A Rave is Lynx ’ s take on rough trail sleds . It ’ s in the Radien2 chassis , which at its core is equivalent to the REV Gen5 Ski-Doo , and in this case uses the same 600R E-TEC engine that has been a staple in the Ski-Doo lineup since model year 2019 .

However , there are notable differences elsewhere on the machine . The ergonomics are different than a Ski-Doo , thanks to unique body panels on the Lynx that bubble out toward the rider and keep him or her deeper on the chassis . Plus , there are enclosures at the edges of the footwells and inserts that raise the rider ’ s toes slightly .

More impactful is a completely different rear suspension . The Lynx ’ s durability-focused , uncoupled PPS3 ski frame transfer weight quickly , lifts the skis easily and provides more of an attack-mode-focused ride than Ski-Doo ’ s bump-erasing rMotion design .

That more aggressive nature is further reflected by muscular and highly adjustable KYB Pro 46 HLCR Kashima-coated shocks found on all four corners . All Rave RE models come standard for 2025 with a 15- by 137-inch Ice Ripper track that spins 1.5-inch , pre-studded lugs .

On The Trail

For having such a bad-boy reputation , the Lynx Rave RE 600R E-TEC comes to life with a smooth purr – perhaps equivalent to the roughest , toughest , gnarliest-looking dude in a biker bar speaking with the polite tone and proper diction of the lizard in the Geico commercials .

Similarly , the idling Rave RE showcased BRP ’ s famous attention to detail in many other ways as well . From the general fit-and-finish and the distinct lines of the sculpted body panels , from the LED headlights to the optional 10.25-inch Touchscreen Display gauge pod found on our demo , this model had many touches of class .

The well-mannered nature was further reflected when the clutches were engaged and the Rave RE 600R was scooted down the trail . It didn ’ t have the bottom-end lurch of its 850 counterpart , and its acceleration curve was linear and consistent but not particularly overwhelming . Whether that ’ s an asset or a liability depends on the end buyer . The powerband made this the most easily trailable Lynx for any rider , but rowdy ditchbangers might want a snappier response .

One reason the trialability was enhanced is that the limited power hit lessened the ski lifting rowdiness found on its high-output siblings . To be clear , the uncoupled PPS3 still lightened the skis whenever the throttle was punched , but it was certainly more controllable .

In turn , having the skis on the ground more often put the sled ’ s front-end handling under more of a microscope , and particularly the deep-keel Blade XC + skis .

Interestingly , we didn ’ t dislike the aggressive skis on this model as much as we have on other Rave or Xterrain sleds , mainly because the ride felt more consistent aggression .

To be clear , the steering was the heaviest in class , as redirecting a machine with that much keel on the ground is more taxing on the rider ’ s arms and shoulders . But we could keep this Rave on its intended line more easily and spent less time

2025 Lynx Rave RE 600R E-TEC

Engine : 599.4cc , liquid-cooled , E-TEC direct-injected two-stroke twin Bore x stroke : 72.3 x 73mm Chassis : Radien2 L x W x H ( inches ): 119.7 x 47.8 x 44.9 Claimed dry weight : 485 pounds Ski stance ( inches ): 42 Front suspension , travel , shocks : LFS +, 11 inches , KYB Pro 46 HLCR Kashima Rear suspension , travel , shocks : PPS3 , 11.5 inches , KYB Pro 46 HLCR Kashima Track : 15- by 137- by 1.5-inch Ice Ripper XT Fuel capacity : 9.5 gallons MSRP : $ 19,649 ( as tested with 10.25-inch display ; $ 18,499 base )

34 / NOVEMBER 2024 / SNOWGOER . COM